When You Were in the Hospital

You were in the hospital after having a stroke. Stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain stops.

First, you received treatment to prevent further damage to the brain, and to help the heart, lungs, and other important organs heal.

After you were stable, doctors did testing and started treatment to help you recover from the stroke and prevent a future stroke. You may have stayed in a special unit that helps people recover after a stroke.

What to Expect at Home

Because of possible injury to the brain from the stroke, you may notice problems with:

Changes in behavior

Doing easy tasks

Memory

Moving one side of the body

Muscle spasms

Paying attention

Sensation or awareness of one part of the body

Swallowing

Talking or understanding others

Thinking

Seeing to one side (hemianopia)

You may need help with daily activities you used to do alone before the stroke.

Depression after a stroke is fairly common as you learn to live with the changes. It may develop soon after the stroke or up to 2 years after the stroke.

DO NOT drive your car without your doctor's permission.

Moving Around

Moving around and doing normal tasks may be hard after a stroke.

Make sure your home is safe. Ask your doctor, therapist, or nurse about making changes in your home to make it easier to do everyday activities.

Give you plenty of time to answer questions and allow time for you to understand instructions. After a stroke, it will take you longer to process what has been said.

Use simple words and sentences, speak slowly. Ask questions in a way that can be answered with a yes or no. When possible, give clear choices. DO NOT give too many options.

Break down instructions into small and simple steps.

Repeat if needed. Use familiar names and places. Announce when you are going to change the subject.

Make eye contact before touching or speaking if possible.

Use props or visual prompts when possible. DO NOT give too many options. You may be able to use pointing or hand gestures or drawings. Making a book with pictures or words about common topics or people will help to communicate better.

Bowel Care

Nerves that help the bowels work smoothly can be damaged after a stroke. Have a routine. Once you find a bowel routine that works, stick to it:

Pick a regular time, such as after a meal or a warm bath, to try to have a bowel movement.

Ask your doctor about medicines you are taking that may cause constipation (such as medicines for depression, pain, bladder control, and muscle spasms).

Tips for Taking Medicines

Have all of your prescriptions filled before you go home. It is very important that you take your medicines the way your health care provider told you to. DO NOT take any other drugs, supplements, vitamins, or herbs without asking your provider about them first.

You may be given one or more of the following medicines. These are meant to control your blood pressure or cholesterol, and to keep your blood from clotting. They may help prevent another stroke:

If you have diabetes, control your blood sugar at the level your health care provider recommends.

DO NOT stop taking any of these medicines.

If you are taking a blood thinner, such as warfarin (Coumadin), you may need to have extra blood tests done.

Staying Healthy

If you have problems with swallowing, you must learn to follow a special diet that makes eating safer. The signs of swallowing problems are choking or coughing when eating. Learn tips to make feeding and swallowing easier and safer.

Avoid salty and fatty foods and stay away from fast food restaurants to make your heart and blood vessels healthier.

Limit how much alcohol you drink to a maximum of one drink a day if you are a woman and two drinks a day if you are a man. Ask your health care provider if it is okay for you to drink alcohol.

Keep up to date with your vaccinations. Get a flu shot every year. Ask your doctor if you need a pneumonia shot.

DO NOT smoke. Ask your health care provider for help quitting if you need to. DO NOT let anybody smoke in your home.

Try to stay away from stressful situations. If you feel stressed all the time or feel very sad , talk with your health care provider.

Many patients who have had a stroke feel sad or depressed at times. Talk to friends or family about this. Ask your health care provider about seeking professional help.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your doctor if you have:

Problems taking drugs for muscle spasms

Problems moving your joints (joint contracture)

Problems moving around or getting out of your bed or chair

Skin sores or redness

Pain that is becoming worse

Recent falls

Choking or coughing when eating

Signs of a bladder infection (fever, burning when you urinate, or frequent urination)

National Institutes of Health. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Post-stroke rehabilitation fact sheet. Available at: www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/stroke/poststrokerehab.htm. Accessed September 2, 2014.

The American Occupational Therapy Association. Recovering from stroke. Available at: www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/consumers/Adults/Stroke/Stroke%20Tip%20Sheet.pdf. Accessed September 2, 2014.